Dual mode bluetooth/wireless device with power conservation features

ABSTRACT

In a dual mode Bluetooth/wireless mobile unit, the next sleep mode Bluetooth wakeup time is rescheduled to synchronize with any upcoming idle mode wireless wakeup time that will otherwise precede the Bluetooth wakeup time. The Bluetooth clock is advanced, or other reconfiguration made to the Bluetooth module, as appropriate to prevent the scanning frequency from changing during a sleep mode Bluetooth wakeup/scanning interval commencing at the resynchronized Bluetooth wakeup time.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending U.S.application Ser. No. 09/930,759 entitled “METHOD FOR REDUCING POWERCONSUMPTION IN BLUETOOTH AND CDMA MODES OF OPERATION,” filed on Aug. 15,2001 and assigned to QUALCOMM INC.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to wireless communicationdevices and systems and more specifically to the reduction of powerconsumption in a dual mode Bluetooth/wireless mobile unit.

BACKGROUND

“Bluetooth” is a wireless personal area network technology supportingwireless voice and data communication between different devices that aretypically within ten to one hundred meters of one another. A number ofdifferent devices can be Bluetooth-enabled, for example, cell phones,personal digital assistants, and laptop computers. Each such device isequipped with Bluetooth components, including a receiver andtransmitter, allowing it to communicate with other nearby, similarlyequipped devices, without the use of cables or other physicalconnections.

As an example, a wireless code division multiple access (CDMA) cellphone can be Bluetooth-enabled, meaning that the cell phone is able tocommunicate in both the CDMA network and the Bluetooth network. Such aBluetooth-enabled CDMA cell phone includes both Bluetooth and CDMAcomponents.

In Bluetooth-enabled devices, the Bluetooth component may engage invarious “sleep” modes to reduce power consumption. These may also bereferred to as “idle” modes. One example is a “page scan” mode, which isutilized when the device is not actively communicating with otherBluetooth-enabled devices, i.e. it is not participating in a Bluetoothnetwork. While in the page scan mode, the Bluetooth componentperiodically performs a wakeup process during which it scans thesurrounding environment to determine whether other Bluetooth-enableddevices are trying to establish communications, in which case theBluetooth device exits the page scan mode and engages in communicationswith such devices. If the Bluetooth component encounters anotherBluetooth-enabled devices during the wakeup/scanning process anddetermines that a connection is needed, it can perform certain protocolsin order to establish a short-range, wireless connection with that otherdevice. Otherwise, the wakeup/scanning process is turned off until thenext wakeup process. The sleep cycle of waking-up, scanning, and turningoff repeats typically once, twice, or four times every 1.28 seconds forthe duration of the page scan mode. However, certain Bluetoothspecifications may vary the timing and pattern of the cycle, for examplerequiring that the process be performed continuously for 1.28 seconds,or repeating the process sixteen times every 1.28 seconds. Further,certain Bluetooth specifications require that the Bluetooth wakeupprocess repeat, for example, at least once every 1.28 seconds, every2.56 seconds, or any other interval required by a particularspecification.

In embodiments where the Bluetooth device also includes a CDMA cellphone (“phone”), the phone's CDMA component performs CDMA related taskswhile the phone's Bluetooth component scans for other Bluetooth-enableddevices as discussed above. Since CDMA requires precise timesynchronization between the phone and the base station, one task of theCDMA component is to synchronize with the base station. In order tosynchronize with the base station while in a CDMA idle mode, the CDMAcomponent “wakes up” periodically during its allotted time slots toreceive and process pilot signals from the base station on the CDMApaging channel. The CDMA component can synchronize with the base stationby processing the pilot signals. For instance, the system time can bedetermined from the information embedded in the pilot signals.

The wakeup frequency of the CDMA component is governed by the slot cycleindex (SCI), which can be set by either the phone or the base station,as is known in the art. If the SCI is zero, the CDMA component performsa wakeup process every 1.28 seconds, i.e. its allotted time slot comesaround every 1.28 seconds. As a different example, the SCI can be set atone, in which case the wakeup process is performed every 2.56 seconds,or two, in which case the wakeup process is performed every 5.12seconds. Thus, lower SCIs mean more frequent wakeup processes, andgreater power consumption

At any rate, the dual mode Bluetooth/CDMA device consumes power whetherit is the Bluetooth component waking up and scanning for otherBluetooth-enabled devices and then shutting down or the CDMA componentwaking up and synchronizing with the base station and then shuttingdown. Further, because each of these independent processes is performedrepeatedly, power consumption can be substantial. Since an importantadvantage of dual mode Bluetooth/CDMA devices is their portability, theyoften rely on a small battery for their sole source of power. High powerconsumption in this environment therefore requires more frequentrecharging. At best, this is inconvenient. At worst, the dual modeBluetooth/CDMA device will cease to operate if the battery dies withouta nearby recharging source.

Consequently, known dual mode Bluetooth/CDMA devices may not becompletely adequate for all users due to their high rate of powerconsumption.

SUMMARY

Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention concerns a method forsynchronizing wakeup processes for a Bluetooth module with wakeupprocesses for a wireless module in a dual mode Bluetooth/wireless mobileunit, and particularly, so that any Bluetooth scanning wakeup processesdo not undergo any scanning frequency changes. Initially, the Bluetoothand wireless modules separately schedule respective wakeup processes,starting with a next planned Bluetooth wakeup time and a next plannedwireless wakeup time, respectively. If the next planned wireless wakeuptime is earlier than a next Bluetooth planned wakeup time, the Bluetoothmodule takes certain synchronization actions. If in a scan mode such aspage scan or inquiry scan, and the next change of the Bluetooth scanningfrequency is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless wakeuptime, the Bluetooth module advances its clock so that the scanningfrequency change occurs substantially at the next wireless wakeup time.Additionally, whether or not the Bluetooth is in a scan mode, theBluetooth module reschedules the next Bluetooth wakeup process tocommence substantially at the next wireless wakeup time, accounting forany advancement of the Bluetooth clock.

The present invention offers a number of different advantages. Chiefly,power is conserved by advancing the Bluetooth clock, since this preventsany changes to the (page/inquiry scan mode) scanning frequency duringthe associated Bluetooth wakeup process. Namely, this permits componentsof the Bluetooth module to remain in a deactivated state during thewakeup/scanning process, instead of attending to change the scanningfrequency. Additional power is conserved because the Bluetooth andwireless wakeup times are synchronized so that their respective wakeupprocesses coincide. The invention also provides a number of otheradvantages and benefits, which should be apparent from the followingdescription of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication systemthat includes a dual mode Bluetooth/CDMA mobile unit.

FIGS. 2A-2C are graphs illustrating the synchronization of wakeupschedules of a dual mode Bluetooth/CDMA mobile unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a process for synchronizing the wakeupschedules of a Bluetooth module and a CDMA module of a dual modeBluetooth/CDMA mobile unit.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary digital data processingmachine.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary signal bearing medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction

The nature, objectives, and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent to those skilled in the art after considering the followingdetailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is generally directed to the reduction of powerconsumption in a mobile unit with dual mode Bluetooth/wirelessoperation. And, although the invention is described with respect tospecific embodiments, the principles of the invention as defined by theclaims appended herein may be applied beyond the embodiments of thedescription described specifically herein. Moreover, certain detailshave been omitted to avoid obscuring the inventive aspects of theinvention. The specific details not described in the present applicationare within the knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure.

The drawings in the present application and their accompanying detaileddescription are directed to examples of different embodiments of theinvention. To maintain brevity, other embodiments of the invention thatuse the principles of the present invention are not specificallydescribed in the present application and are not specificallyillustrated by the present drawings. The word “exemplary” is usedexclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, orillustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is notnecessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over otherembodiments.

Wireless Communication System

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication system 100 inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. Without any intendedlimitation, the wireless communication system 100 is exemplified bycomponents of a dual mode Bluetooth/CDMA mobile unit. In addition toCDMA, the principles of the invention may additionally be applied toother wireless communications systems, to the extent that there arerelevant sleep cycles, wakeup processes, etc. Some examples includetechnologies such as GSM, GPRS, TDMA, WCDMA, HDR, etc.

For consideration in the specific embodiment that utilizes CDMA asillustrated, the general principles of CDMA communication systems, andin particular the general principles for generation of spread spectrumsignals for transmission over a communication channel are described inU.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307 entitled “Spread Spectrum Multiple AccessCommunication System Using Satellite or Terrestrial Repeaters” andassigned to QUALCOMM INC. The disclosure in the '307 patent is herebyfully incorporated by reference into the present application. Moreover,U.S. Pat. No. 5,103,459 entitled “System and Method for GeneratingSignal Waveforms in a CDMA Wireless Telephone System” and assigned tothe QUALCOMM INC. discloses principles related to PN spreading, Walshcovering, and techniques to generate CDMA spread spectrum communicationsignals. The disclosure of the '459 patent is also hereby fullyincorporated by reference into the present application. Further, timemultiplexing of data and various principles related to “high data rate”communication systems are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.08/963,386 entitled “Method and Apparatus for High Rate Packet DataTransmission,” filed on Nov. 3, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,211,issued Jun. 3, 2003 to Padovani et al., and assigned to QUALCOMM INC.The disclosure of the '386 application is also hereby fully incorporatedby reference into the present application.

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 100 comprises aBluetooth device 110, wireless mobile unit 140, and CDMA base station180. Bluetooth device 110 comprises any Bluetooth-enabled device, forexample, a laptop computer equipped with Bluetooth components. Bluetoothdevice 110 is configured to communicate with other Bluetooth-enableddevices utilizing its receiver/transmitter 112 and antenna 114.

The wireless mobile unit 140 may be implemented by various devices, suchas a Bluetooth-enabled CDMA cell phone in the present embodiment. Assuch, wireless mobile unit 140 comprises both Bluetooth and CDMAcomponents, namely, Bluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144,respectively. Bluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144 are coupled toprocessor 146, which, in one embodiment, is configured to monitor anddirect the wakeup/sleep cycles of Bluetooth module 142 in its varioussleep modes and the wakeup/idle cycles of CDMA module 144 in idle mode.Wireless mobile unit 140 also includes a timing reference 160 to provideBluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144 with a common clock signal orother periodic reference.

Bluetooth module 142, hereinafter referred to as “module 142,” engagesin various sleep modes, which constitute reduced power operating modes.When it is not already communicating with another Bluetooth device, themodule 142 may engage in sleep modes including “page scan” or “inquiryscan.” With page scan, the module 142 conducts frequency scanning scanto determine whether other nearby Bluetooth devices, having previouslydiscovered the module 142, are now attempting to establish a connectionwith the module 142. With inquiry scan, the module 142 conductsfrequency scanning to allow other Bluetooth devices to discover themodule 142's presence. The terms “scanning” or “wakeup scanning” areutilized to collectively refer to the wakeup processes of page scan,inquiry scan, and other such operations where the Bluetooth module isnot already in established communication with another Bluetooth device.

After communications with another Bluetooth device has been initiated,the module 142 may engage in other sleep modes including a “hold mode”or “sniff mode” or “park mode.” Hold mode refers to a one-time event inwhich the module 142 and another Bluetooth device agree not tocommunicate with each other for a set length of time. In sniff mode, themodule 142 engages in brief communication with another Bluetooth devicefor a set amount of time at a mutually agreed interval, during whicheither device can send signals including data. Sniff mode continuesuntil either device wishes to exit this mode of operation. Park mode islike sniff mode, with one difference being that data cannot beexchanged. The processes of waking up and completing page scan, inquiryscan, hold, sniff, or park mode tasks are collectively referred toherein as “Bluetooth wakeup processes.”

The following describes the page scan mode in greater detail. When theBluetooth device 110 is not actively communicating in a Bluetoothnetwork, one operational mode of the Bluetooth module 142 is a page scanmode in which the module 142 periodically “wakes up” from a reducedpower setting to determine whether other Bluetooth-enabled devices suchas 110 are trying to establish a connection with the module 142.Scanning the surrounding environment for other Bluetooth-enabled devicesseeking to establish a connection is done in a manner known in the artand may involve, for example, the transmission, reception and processingof specific paging signals. The specific process of waking up, pagescanning, and then shutting down performed by Bluetooth module 142 isalso referred to as a “Bluetooth page scan wakeup process” in thepresent application, regardless of whether the implementation employspaging signals as such or another type of communication. In the case ofinquiry scan, the operations are similar, but the module 142 scansdifferent frequencies to determine whether inquiry requests from otherdevices are occurring, to which the module 142 should respond in orderto allow those other devices to discover the module 142. The process ofwaking up, inquiry scanning, and then shutting down is referred to as a“Bluetooth inquiry scan wakeup process.” During the Bluetoothwakeup/scanning process, some components of the wireless mobile unit 140(such as any applicable computing resources of the processor 146) may betemporarily deactivated so as to “sleep” during scanning.

Bluetooth module 142 includes a Bluetooth receiver/transmitter 148connected to Bluetooth antenna 150. In the page scan mode, the Bluetoothmodule 142 utilizes Bluetooth receiver/transmitter 148 and Bluetoothantenna 150. In the present embodiment, Bluetooth module 142 isconfigured to perform a Bluetooth page scanning wakeup process twiceevery 1.28 seconds. However, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat Bluetooth module 142 can be configured to perform a Bluetooth pagescanning wakeup process at other intervals, for example every 1.28seconds, every 0.32 seconds, or every 0.16 seconds. Further, it isappreciated that certain Bluetooth specifications may require thatBluetooth module 142 perform its Bluetooth page scanning wakeup process,for example, at least once every 1.28 seconds, every 2.56 seconds, orany other interval required by the particular Bluetooth specification.Bluetooth device 110 and Bluetooth module 142 communicate with eachother via Bluetooth airlink 116 using their respectivereceiver/transmitter and antenna elements.

Bluetooth module 142 further includes a Bluetooth clock 158, hereinafterreferred to as “clock 158.” In one embodiment, clock 158 is the internalclock for Bluetooth module 142. Clock 158 may comprise, for example, a28-bit counter that tracks a “current Bluetooth time” and relays thecurrent Bluetooth time to processor 146. The clock 158 is set wheneverthe module 142 communicates with another Bluetooth device. Namely, themodule 142 resets the clock according to a time signal from anotherBluetooth device operating in the role of “master.” Whether or not themodule 142 is not communicating with another Bluetooth device,advancement of the clock 158 is driven by the time reference 160. In theillustrated embodiment, when the lower twelve bits of the clock 158 rollover while the module is in the page (or inquiry) scan mode, this causesa change in the page (or inquiry) scanning frequency, i.e., from onepage (or inquiry) scanning channel to the next.

Referring now to the CDMA module 144, one component is a CDMAreceiver/transmitter 152, which is connected to CDMA antenna 154. CDMAmodule 144 utilizes CDMA receiver/transmitter 152 and CDMA antenna 154to communicate in a CDMA network, and more particularly with CDMA basestation 180, via CDMA airlink 184. CDMA module 144 communicates withCDMA base station 180 by utilizing CDMA receiver/transmitter 152 andCDMA antenna 154 to transmit and receive signals. At the same time, CDMAbase station 180 utilizes base station antenna 182 to receive signalsfrom, and transmit signals to, CDMA module 144. Communication betweenCDMA module 144 and CDMA base station 180 occurs in a manner known inthe art.

When wireless mobile unit 140 is not actively communicating in the CDMAnetwork, CDMA module 144 assumes an “idle” mode. CDMA module 144 engagesin a number of tasks while it is in idle mode, including the task ofsynchronizing its clock with CDMA system time. As is known in the art,the robustness of communication in a CDMA network depends in part on thetime-synchronization of each component in the CDMA network, includingmobile units, base stations, base station controllers, etc.

In order to synchronize with CDMA system time, CDMA module 144 utilizestransmitter/receiver 152 and CDMA antenna 154 to receive a pilot signaltransmitted by CDMA base station 180. The received pilot signal isprocessed and the current CDMA system time determined from the datacontained in the pilot signal. The processing of the pilot signal byCDMA module 144 and the determination of the current CDMA system timetherefrom are done in a manner known in the art. In the presentembodiment, the current time of the CDMA module 144 is set to the CDMAsystem time derived from the pilot signal. CDMA current time istherefore the same as CDMA system time. The CDMA clock 153 tracks theCDMA current time. CDMA current time is the same as CDMA system time.The timing reference 160 is used to advance the CDMA clock 153, butevery time the CDMA clock receives a pilot signal, it re-aligns withCDMA system time. Advancement of the CDMA clock 153, having been setaccording to a pilot signal, is driven by the timing reference 160.

Thus, timing reference 160 provides CDMA module 144 and Bluetooth module142 with a common timing reference signal, but the absolute values ofthe current Bluetooth module time and the current CDMA module time maybe different. In a different embodiment, timing reference 160 providesCDMA module 144 and Bluetooth module 142 with a common source of timesuch that the “current” times for both modules are the same. The processof waking up, synchronizing with base station 180 and shutting downperformed by CDMA module 144 is referred to as a “CDMA wakeup process.”

The wakeup frequency of the CDMA module 144 is governed by the SCI asset by either the phone or the base station in a manner known in theart. For example, if the SCI for CDMA module 144 is zero, then CDMAmodule 144 performs a CDMA wakeup process every 1.28 seconds. As adifferent example, if the SCI is set at one, the CDMA wakeup process isperformed every 2.56 seconds; if the SCI is set at two, the CDMA wakeupprocess is performed every 5.12 seconds. Thus, the lower the SCI, themore frequently CDMA module 144 performs its CDMA wakeup process. In thepresent embodiment, the SCI for CDMA module 144 is set at zero, so thatCDMA module 144 performs a CDMA wakeup process every 1.28 seconds.

Processor 146 uses the information it receives from Bluetooth clock 158and from CDMA module 144 in order to synchronize the wakeup schedule ofBluetooth module 142 with the wakeup schedule of CDMA module 144. In thepresent embodiment, in order to synchronize the two wakeup schedules,processor 146 determines how much time remains until the next wakeupprocess is scheduled for both Bluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144.

In one embodiment, processor 146 is configured to determine the nextplanned Bluetooth and CDMA wakeup times based on how frequently theBluetooth wakeup processes and CDMA wakeup processes, respectively, areset to be performed. As stated above, Bluetooth module 142 can be set toperform a Bluetooth wakeup process at different intervals or frequency,such as once every 0.64 seconds, and CDMA module 144 can be set toperform a CDMA wakeup process every 1.28 seconds, every 2.56 seconds, orevery 5.12 seconds, depending on its SCI. In one embodiment, processor146 determines the next planned Bluetooth wakeup time by monitoring whenBluetooth module 142 last performed a Bluetooth wakeup process and thencalculating when the next Bluetooth wakeup process is to be performed.Thus, as an illustration, if processor 146 determines that Bluetoothmodule 142 last performed a Bluetooth wakeup process at time T, andBluetooth module 142 is set to perform a Bluetooth wakeup process every0.64 seconds, then processor 146 calculates The next planned Bluetoothwakeup time to be time T plus 0.64 seconds. Similarly, if processor 146determines that CDMA module 144 last performed a CDMA wakeup process attime Y, and CDMA module 144 is set to perform a CDMA wakeup processevery 1.28 seconds, i.e. its SCI is set at zero, then processor 146calculates the next planned CDMA wakeup time to be time Y plus 1.28seconds.

As mentioned above, the Bluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144 areconfigured to plan their respective wakeup processes to start at variousperiodic intervals. One feature of the presently described embodiment isthat processor 146 further acts to synchronize the planned wakeupschedule of Bluetooth module 142 to the wakeup schedule of CDMA module144 by determining when the next Bluetooth wakeup process is to beperformed in relation to when the next CDMA wakeup process is to beperformed. The times remaining until the respective next scheduledwakeup processes are determined by calculating the time differencebetween the current time and the time of the next scheduled wakeupprocesses. For example, the time remaining until the next scheduled CDMAwakeup process is the next planned CDMA wakeup time less the currentCDMA module time. If processor 146 determines that the next Bluetoothwakeup process is scheduled to be performed later than the next CDMAwakeup process, processor 146 advances the wakeup schedule of Bluetoothmodule 142 such that Bluetooth module 142 performs the next Bluetoothwakeup process at the same time CDMA module 144 performs the next CDMAwakeup process. In other words, processor 146 triggers Bluetooth module142 to perform its next Bluetooth wakeup process at the next plannedCDMA wakeup time rather than waiting until the next planned Bluetoothwakeup time. The next Bluetooth wakeup process is therefore synchronizedwith the next CDMA wakeup process.

Synchronizing the two wakeup schedules reduces the power consumption ofwireless mobile unit 140 by sharing the power otherwise required toseparately turn on Bluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144 when theyperform their respective wakeup processes.

In an enhancement to the foregoing configuration of the wireless mobileunit 140, the processor 146 may be configured to advance the Bluetoothclock 158 (or take other action as needed to prevent page/inquiryscanning frequency from changing during the next page/inquiry scanningwakeup process). As illustrated, this is done before synchronizing theBluetooth wakeup schedule to the CDMA wakeup schedule. Namely, theprocessor 146 advances the clock 158 so that it will roll over at thenext CDMA wakeup time (which will also mark the next Bluetooth wakeuptime after synchronization). “Rollover” occurs when the leastsignificant twelve bits of the twenty-eight bits of the Bluetooth clock158 “toggle,” that is, pass their maximum number and reset.

Clock advancement in this manner contributes to power conservation,since clock rollover might otherwise require activation of the processor146 during the Bluetooth module 142's wakeup process. In particular,during page/inquiry scan mode, the Bluetooth module 142 directs thereceiver/transmitter 148 to change the Bluetooth frequency being scannedwhenever the clock 158 rolls over. Although the act of frequencyscanning once begun can be performed with reduced facilities, and namelywithout involving the processor 146, the act of changing scanningfrequencies requires involvement of the processor 146 and hence greaterpower consumption. Thus, during each page/inquiry scan mode wakeupprocess the processor 146 can remain largely dormant, while thereceiver/transmitter 148 scans a single frequency. Optionally, theprocessor 146 may advance the clock in the foregoing manner only whencircumstances indicate that clock rollover (i.e., page/inquiry modescanning frequency change) will occur during the next planned Bluetoothpage/inquiry mode wakeup process, namely, between the planned CDMAwakeup time and a length of time equal to the Bluetooth page/inquirymode wakeup process.

The operation of these and other components of the unit 140 aredescribed in greater detail below.

Exemplary Digital Data Processing Apparatus

As mentioned above, data processing entities such as the processor 146may be implemented in various forms. One example is a digital dataprocessing apparatus, as exemplified by the hardware components andinterconnections of the digital data processing apparatus 400,hereinafter referred to as “apparatus 400,” of FIG. 4.

The apparatus 400 includes a processor 402, such as a microprocessor,personal computer, workstation, or other processing machine, coupled toa storage 404. In the present example, the storage 404 includes afast-access storage 406, as well as nonvolatile storage 408. Thefast-access storage 406 may comprise random access memory (RAM), and maybe used to store the programming instructions executed by the processor402. The nonvolatile storage 408 may comprise, for example, batterybackup RAM, EEPROM, flash PROM, one or more magnetic data storage diskssuch as a “hard drive,” a tape drive, or any other suitable storagedevice. The apparatus 400 also includes an input/output 410, such as aline, bus, cable, electromagnetic link, or other means for the processor402 to exchange data with other hardware external to the apparatus 400.

Despite the specific foregoing description, ordinarily skilled artisans(having the benefit of this disclosure) will recognize that theapparatus discussed above may be implemented in a machine of differentconstruction, without departing from the scope of the invention. As aspecific example, one of the components 406, 408 may be eliminated;furthermore, the storage 404, 406, and/or 408 may be provided on-boardthe processor 402, or even provided externally to the apparatus 400.

Logic Circuitry

In contrast to the digital data processing apparatus discussed above, adifferent embodiment of the invention uses logic circuitry instead ofcomputer-executed instructions to implement processing entities such asthe processor 146. Depending upon the particular requirements of theapplication in the areas of speed, expense, tooling costs, and the like,this logic may be implemented by constructing an application-specificintegrated circuit (ASIC) having thousands of tiny integratedtransistors. Such an ASIC may be implemented with CMOS, TTL, VLSI, oranother suitable construction. Other alternatives include a digitalsignal processing chip (DSP), discrete circuitry (such as resistors,capacitors, diodes, inductors, and transistors), field programmable gatearray (FPGA), programmable logic array (PLA), programmable logic device(PLD), and the like.

Operation—Introduction

Having described the structural features of the system 100, anoperational aspect of the present invention will now be described. Asmentioned above, the operational aspect of the invention generallyinvolves synchronizing a planned wakeup process for a Bluetooth modulewith a planned wakeup process for a CDMA module in a wireless mobileunit, and particularly, in such a way that any Bluetooth page/inquiryscanning wakeup processes do not undergo any scanning frequency changes.

Although the present invention has broad applicability to thepower-efficient synchronization of different wireless communicationmodules, the specifics of the structure that has been described isparticularly suited for Bluetooth and CDMA type communications, and theexplanation that follows will emphasize such an application of theinvention without any intended limitation.

Operation—Signal-Bearing Media

Wherever the functionality of one or more components is implementedusing one or more machine-executed program sequences, these sequencesmay be embodied in various forms of signal-bearing media. In the contextof FIG. 4, such a signal-bearing media may comprise, for example, thestorage 404 or another signal-bearing media, such as a magnetic datastorage diskette 500 (FIG. 5), directly or indirectly accessible by theprocessor 402. Whether contained in the storage 406, diskette 500, orelsewhere, the instructions may be stored on a variety ofmachine-readable data storage media. Some examples include direct accessstorage (e.g., a conventional “hard drive,” redundant array ofinexpensive disks (RAID), or another direct access storage device(DASD)), serial-access storage such as magnetic or optical tape,electronic non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, EPROM, flash PROM, orEEPROM), battery backup RAM, optical storage (e.g., CD-ROM, WORM, DVD,digital optical tape), paper “punch” cards, or other suitablesignal-bearing media including analog or digital transmission media andanalog and communication links and wireless communications. In anillustrative embodiment of the invention, the machine-readableinstructions may comprise software object code, compiled from a languagesuch as assembly language, C, etc.

Operation—Logic Circuitry

In contrast to the signal-bearing medium discussed above, some or all ofthe invention's functionality may be implemented using logic circuitry,instead of using a processor to execute instructions. Such logiccircuitry is therefore configured to perform operations to carry outthis functionality. The logic circuitry may be implemented using manydifferent types of circuitry, as discussed above.

Operation—Graphical Description

FIGS. 2A-2C graphically aid the illustration of one exemplary techniquefor synchronizing the wakeup schedule of a Bluetooth module to thewakeup schedule of a CDMA module in a wireless mobile unit such as, forexample, wireless mobile unit 140 of FIG. 1. Without any intendedlimitation, references are made to the particular wireless mobile unit140 in order to facilitate discussion.

FIG. 2A illustrates a time sequence of the wakeup schedule of the CDMAmodule 144 while in idle mode. The vertical axis shows the on/off stateof CDMA module 144, while the horizontal axis corresponds to time.Namely, when the CDMA module is “on” (214, 216) it is performing itsCDMA wakeup process, including synchronization and any other CDMArelated tasks. As the CDMA module 144 is in its idle mode throughoutFIG. 2A, the CDMA module is not being activated to conduct wirelesssubscriber communications during the illustrated time; in such event,there would be no need to conduct any wakeup process.

The CDMA system time at the current instant (according to the CDMA clock153) is shown by 206; this time derived from a pilot signal receivedfrom a base station as discussed above. CDMA module 144 is in idle modeat the current CDMA time 206 and not performing a CDMA wakeup process,i.e. CDMA module 144 is “off.” At the next planned CDMA wakeup time 208,CDMA module 244 will turn on and begins CDMA wakeup process 214. A timeinterval 210 between the current CDMA module time 206 and the nextplanned CDMA wakeup time 208 represents the time period between thecurrent CDMA time and the time when the next CDMA wakeup process is tobe performed. Interval 212 represents the time between the start of CDMAwakeup process 214 and the start of the subsequent CDMA wakeup process216. Interval 212 may, for example, be 1.28 seconds if the module 144'sSCI is set at zero; this means that CDMA module 144 is set to perform aCDMA wakeup process every 1.28 seconds.

FIG. 2B shows a time sequence of a sleep mode wakeup schedule for theBluetooth module 142, before being synchronized to the CDMA module'swakeup schedule. The vertical axis shows the on/off state of Bluetoothmodule 142, while the horizontal axis corresponds to time. Namely, whenthe Bluetooth module is “on” (250, 256, 260) it is performing itsBluetooth sleep mode wakeup process, such as page scan, inquiry scan,hold, sniff, park, or other sleep mode tasks. To illustrate a specificexample, a series of page scanning wakeup processes is discussed. Thus,in this example, the intervals 250, 256, 260 represent scanning forother nearby Bluetooth devices. The current Bluetooth time (according tothe Bluetooth clock 158) at the current instant is shown by 246. At thistime, the Bluetooth module 142 is “off” and not performing any Bluetoothwakeup process. At the next planned Bluetooth wakeup time 248, Bluetoothmodule 142 will turn on and begin Bluetooth wakeup process 250. Betweenthe current Bluetooth time 246 and the next planned Bluetooth wakeuptime there is a time interval 252. Interval 252 is the length of timebetween current Bluetooth time 246 and the next planned Bluetooth wakeuptime 248. The Bluetooth module 142 repeats its wakeup process at regularintervals of 258 following the time 248, as shown by 256, 260. If, forexample, Bluetooth module 142 is set to perform a Bluetooth wakeupprocess every 0.64 seconds, then the interval 258 and subsequent suchintervals are equal to 0.64 seconds.

In comparing FIGS. 2A-2B, the interval 252 is greater than interval 210.In other words, the next planned Bluetooth wakeup process 250 will occurafter the next planned CDMA wakeup process 214. This causes asignificant drain on the power supply of wireless mobile unit 140, as itrequires the Bluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144 to be turned onseparately to perform their respective wakeup processes.

FIG. 2C shows a post-synchronization time sequence for the wakeupschedule of Bluetooth module 142. The vertical axis shows the on/offstate of Bluetooth module 142, and the horizontal axis corresponds totime. In FIG. 2B, the time of Bluetooth clock 258 rollover (i.e., pagescan mode frequency change) is marked by 249. A time interval 253 ismeasured between the current Bluetooth time 246 and rollover time 249.Another interval 259 is measured between the next planned CDMA wakeuptime 208 and the rollover time 249. To ensure that rollover coincideswith time 208 (only required if the wakeup processes 250, 256, 260constitute page or inquiry scan mode wakeup processes), and anticipatingthat the start of the Bluetooth wakeup process 250 will be synchronizedwith the start of the CDMA wakeup process 214, the Bluetooth clock 258is therefore advanced by the amount 259. The amount 259 may becalculated in various ways, such as (1) by subtracting 210 from 253, or(2) by reducing the time 249 by the current Bluetooth clock 246 (tocompute 253) and further reducing this by the difference between 208 and206 (namely 210). The current Bluetooth time after advancing the clock158 by the amount 259 is shown by 276 of FIG. 2C. The time 276 isreferred to as the post-advancement current time. The value of the clock158 at pre-clock-advancement time 246 (FIG. 2B) is therefore representedby 246 a (FIG. 2C).

As shown in FIG. 2C, the next scheduled Bluetooth wakeup process hasbeen “rescheduled” from 250 to 280 as a result of synchronization and isnow set to be performed at the synchronized time 278. Thus, rather thanhaving Bluetooth module 142 perform the next Bluetooth wakeup process attime 248 as shown in FIG. 2B, the outcome of synchronizing the wakeupschedule of Bluetooth module 142 to the wakeup schedule of CDMA module144 is a temporal shift of the next Bluetooth wakeup process 250, suchthat the resynchronized next Bluetooth wakeup process 280 is performedat the same time as the next CDMA wakeup process 214.

More particularly, synchronization requires that the next Bluetoothwakeup time 278 be reset to a time interval of 259 plus 210 in thefuture from the old Bluetooth time 277, or a time interval 210 in thefuture from the post-advancement current time 276. This leads to theconcurrent performance of Bluetooth wakeup process 280 and CDMA wakeupprocess 214 at times 278, 208, respectively. In the absence of Bluetoothclock advancement, the next planned Bluetooth wakeup time is scheduledfor a time interval 282 (equal to 210) in the future, as measured fromthe un-advanced Bluetooth current time 246.

The foregoing synchronization of Bluetooth wakeup process 280 with CDMAwakeup process 214 means that Bluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144can be powered on at the same time to perform their wakeup processes,resulting in a significant reduction in power consumption by wirelessmobile unit 140. Also, by advancing the Bluetooth clock 158 to ensurethat rollover occurs at 278 and not during 280, further power isconserved because the page/inquiry scanning frequency will not be ableto change during 280.

Bluetooth wakeup process 286 follows Bluetooth wakeup process 280 aftera length of time 284 has elapsed, and Bluetooth wakeup process 290follows after another elapsed time 288. Bluetooth wakeup processes 286and 290 of FIG. 2C represent Bluetooth wakeup processes 256 and 260 ofFIG. 2B, shifted forward as a result of the synchronization of Bluetoothwakeup process 280 with CDMA wakeup process 214.

Operation—Step By Step Sequence

FIG. 3 shows a sequence 300 to synchronize wakeup schedules of aBluetooth module and a CDMA module in a wireless mobile unit. For easeof explanation, but without any intended limitation, the example of FIG.3 is described in the context of the hardware described above in FIG. 1.

The steps 300 are initiated in step 310, when, for example, wirelessmobile unit 140 is not communicating in a Bluetooth network and also notcommunicating in a CDMA network. In other words, the process begins whenthe process 146 detects that the Bluetooth module 142 is in sleep modeand CDMA module 144 is idle.

At step 312, the processor 146 determines the current Bluetooth time andthe current CDMA time. For example, to determine the current Bluetoothtime, the processor 146 may consult the clock 158. To determine thecurrent CDMA time, the processor 146 may consult the clock 153, ortrigger the CDMA module 144 to determine time by using data in a CDMApilot signal transmitted by a base station and received by CDMA module144. In one embodiment, timing reference 160 provides CDMA module 144and Bluetooth module 142 with a common source of time such that the“current” time for both modules are the same in the absence ofoverriding, corrective time signals from external sources.

In step 313, the processor 146 examines the interval between successiveplanned CDMA wakeup processes (e.g., between 214, 216) and the intervalbetween successive planned Bluetooth wakeup processes (e.g., between250, 256). In the case of CDMA, this is dictated by the established SCI;in the case of Bluetooth, this interval is dictated by programming ofthe Bluetooth module 142 or by the requirement of communication withanother Bluetooth module. After examining these intervals, the processor146 adjusts the Bluetooth wakeup interval so that the CDMA wakeupinterval is an integer multiple of the Bluetooth wakeup interval, or sothat the Bluetooth wakeup interval is an integer multiple of the CDMAwakeup interval. In this way, after the first Bluetooth wakeup processhas been synchronized to the next CDMA wakeup process (as discussedbelow), subsequent Bluetooth and CDMA wakeup processes will not occurout-of-synch with each other, except to the extent one type occurs morefrequently. The strategy implemented by the processor 146 in changingthe Bluetooth wakeup interval depends upon the desired frequency ofrepeating the respective CDMA and Bluetooth wakeup processes, namely,the SCI and other Bluetooth requirements as discussed above. Subsequentperformance of step 313 may be skipped in the event that step 316 leadsto step 323, ultimately returning to step 313 via step 312.

In step 314, the processor 146 identifies the next planned Bluetoothwakeup time and the next planned CDMA wakeup time. The next plannedBluetooth wakeup time is determined based on the time that the precedingBluetooth wakeup process was performed by Bluetooth module 142. The nextplanned Bluetooth wakeup time is also a function of how often Bluetoothwakeup processes are to be performed, for example, once every 1.28seconds, every 0.64 seconds, every 0.32 seconds, etc. In one embodiment,processor 146 monitors the time of the preceding Bluetooth wakeupprocess and calculates the next planned Bluetooth wakeup time by adding,for example, 1.28 seconds, 0.64 seconds or 0.32 seconds to the time ofthe last Bluetooth wakeup process, depending on how often Bluetoothwakeup processes are set to be performed. In a similar fashion, theprocessor 146 also calculates the next planned CDMA wakeup time in step314. For example, processor 146 may compute the next planned CDMA wakeuptime by monitoring the last CDMA wakeup time and then adding, forexample, 1.28, 2.56, or 5.12 seconds, depending on the SCI set for CDMAmodule 144.

In step 316, the processor 146 determines which is first—the nextplanned CDMA wakeup time 208 or the next planned Bluetooth wakeup time248. Namely, if the current Bluetooth time 246 plus the interval 210between the next planned CDMA time 208 and the current CDMA time 206 isgreater than time 248, this indicates that the next CDMA wakeup processis scheduled to be performed by CDMA module 144 after the next Bluetoothwakeup process is scheduled to be performed by Bluetooth module 142. Insuch an instance, there is no advantage to be realized by reschedulingthe next planned Bluetooth wakeup time any earlier, since it is alreadyearlier than the next planned CDMA wakeup time. In this case, step 316advances to step 323, where the Bluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144wait and then perform their respective wakeup processes at theirscheduled times as discussed below. On the other hand, if step 316 findsthat the next planned Bluetooth wakeup time is after the next plannedCDMA wakeup time (as illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2B), then the process 300proceeds to step 319.

In step 319, the processor 146 advances the Bluetooth clock 158 toprevent rollover from possibly occurring during the Bluetooth wakeupprocess 250 (to be rescheduled for 280). This is done by advancing theBluetooth clock 158 by the amount of time 259. Optionally, adjustment ofthe clock 158 may be performed conditionally, that is, only if rolloverwould otherwise occur during the Bluetooth wakeup process 280. A simpleroption, which does not need to consider the length of the process 280,is to limit clock advancement to cases where Bluetooth clock rolloverwould occur after the time 208, therefore assuming that the worst casescenario that rollover will occur during the process 280.

In the illustrated embodiment, step 319 is only performed ifappropriate. Namely, step 319 is only performed if the Bluetooth module142 is in the page scan mode, inquiry scan mode, or another sleep modein which communications with another Bluetooth device have not beenestablished (and Bluetooth time has not been established by reference tosignals from another Bluetooth device). In the hold, sniff, or parkmodes, resetting of the Bluetooth clock 158 is skipped because the clockis automatically set according to the Bluetooth master device, andcannot be freely advanced. In addition, step 319 may be skipped duringthe second and each subsequent time of progressing through the sequence300 during the same sleep mode (via steps 316, 323, 312, etc.), assumingthat the first time of performing step 319 already had the effect ofsetting the Bluetooth clock so that rollover will not occur duringfuture wakeup processes.

At step 320, processor 146 synchronizes the next planned Bluetoothwakeup time 248 with the next planned CDMA wakeup time 208, namely,rescheduling Bluetooth wakeup to occur at 278 rather than 248. In otherwords, since the processor 146 determined at step 316 that the next CDMAwakeup process 214 is scheduled to be performed before the nextBluetooth wakeup process 250 processor 146 in step 320 “reschedules” thenext Bluetooth wakeup process 250 to 280, which will be performedsimultaneously with the next CDMA wakeup process 214.

At step 322, Bluetooth module 142 waits and then performs the Bluetoothwakeup process 280 when the next planned Bluetooth wakeup time 278 isreached. In step 322, the CDMA module 144 also performs its CDMA wakeupprocess. Here, Bluetooth module 142 and CDMA module 144 perform theirwakeup processes at the same time, significantly reducing the powerconsumption of wireless mobile unit 140 since the two modules arepowered up simultaneously. Advantageously, in the case of page scan modeor inquiry scan mode, step 319 was performed previously in order toreschedule clock rollover to occur at 278, and thus the processor 146may sleep through the Bluetooth wakeup process 280 while the Bluetoothmodule 142 scans for other Bluetooth devices, thereby contributing topower conservation in the unit 140. The routine 300 ends in step 322,wherein the CDMA and Bluetooth wakeup processes (now synchronized)repeat as scheduled until one or both of the modules 142, 144 isawakened.

As mentioned above, step 316 advances to step 323 if the next plannedBluetooth wakeup process is already scheduled to occur earlier than thenext planned CDMA wakeup process. In this case, there is no advantage tobe realized by rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth wakeup time anyearlier, since it is already earlier than the next planned CDMA wakeuptime. Thus, step 323 is performed, wherein the Bluetooth module 142 andCDMA module 144 wait and then perform their respective wakeup processesat their scheduled times in the same manner as step 322. After step 323,the routine 300 returns to step 312 to evaluate the next plannedBluetooth and CDMA wakeup processes. The process 300 continues until,for example, Bluetooth module 142 exits sleep mode or CDMA module 144exits idle mode.

Other Embodiments

The previous description of various disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

Those of ordinarily skill in the art will recognize that information andsignals may be represented using any of a variety of differenttechnologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands,information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referencedthroughout the above description may be represented by voltages,currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, opticalfields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Those of ordinary skill will further appreciate that the variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm stepsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To illustrate some exemplary embodiments, functional aspects ofthe invention have been described in conjunction with various blocks,modules, circuits, and steps. Whether such functionality is implementedas hardware, software, or both depends upon the particular applicationand design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisansmay implement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for synchronizing idle mode wakeup times for a Bluetooth module and a wireless module in a dual mode Bluetooth/wireless unit, the method comprising operations of: determining whether a next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, performing operations comprising: determining whether a next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time, and only in such event, performing operations comprising rescheduling the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time; rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 2. The method of claim 1, the operation of determining whether the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time comprising operations of: determining whether the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur during a Bluetooth wakeup/scanning process commencing at the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time.
 3. The method of claim 1, the operations further comprising: commencing a predetermined Bluetooth wakeup process substantially at the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; commencing a predetermined wireless wakeup process substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 4. The method of claim 1, the operations further comprising: if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is later than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, leaving the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time unchanged.
 5. The method of claim 1, the operations further comprising one of the following: adjusting a delay interval between successive planned Bluetooth module wakeup times to be an integer multiple of a delay interval between successive wireless module wakeup times; adjusting a delay interval between successive Bluetooth module wakeup times so that a delay interval between successive wireless module wakeup times is an integer multiple of the delay interval between successive Bluetooth module wakeup times.
 6. The method of claim 1, the Bluetooth module including a clock, the operation of rescheduling the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change comprising advancing the clock so that a predetermined rollover event occurs substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 7. A method for synchronizing idle mode wakeup times for a Bluetooth module and a wireless module in a dual mode Bluetooth/wireless unit, the method comprising operations of: determining whether a next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, performing operations comprising: only if the Bluetooth module is not in sleep mode communications with another Bluetooth device and a next Bluetooth clock rollover event is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time, advancing the Bluetooth clock so that the rollover event will occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time; rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 8. A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processing machine to perform operations to synchronize idle mode wakeup times for a Bluetooth module and a wireless module in a dual mode Bluetooth/wireless unit, the operations comprising: determining whether a next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, performing operations comprising: determining whether a next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time, and only in such event, performing operations comprising rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth scanning frequency change to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time; rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 9. The medium of claim 8, the operation of determining whether the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time comprising operations of: determining whether the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur during a Bluetooth wakeup/scanning process commencing at the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time.
 10. The medium of claim 8, the operations further comprising: commencing a predetermined Bluetooth wakeup process substantially at the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; commencing a predetermined wireless wakeup process substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 11. The medium of claim 8, the operations further comprising: if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is later than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, leaving the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time unchanged.
 12. The medium of claim 8, the operations further comprising one of the following: adjusting a delay interval between successive planned Bluetooth module wakeup times to be an integer multiple of a delay interval between successive wireless module wakeup times; adjusting a delay interval between successive Bluetooth module wakeup times so that a delay interval between successive wireless module wakeup times is an integer multiple of the delay interval between successive Bluetooth module wakeup times.
 13. The medium of claim 8, the Bluetooth module including a clock, the operation of rescheduling the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change comprising advancing the clock so that a predetermined rollover event occurs substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 14. A signal bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital data processing machine to perform operations for synchronizing idle mode wakeup times for a Bluetooth module and a wireless module in a dual mode Bluetooth/wireless unit, the operations comprising: determining whether a next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, performing operations comprising: only if the Bluetooth module is not in sleep mode communications with another Bluetooth device and a next Bluetooth clock rollover event is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time, advancing the Bluetooth clock so that the rollover event will occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time; rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 15. Logic circuitry comprising multiple interconnected electrically conductive elements configured to perform operations to synchronize idle mode wakeup times for a Bluetooth module and a wireless module in a dual mode Bluetooth/wireless unit, the operations comprising: determining whether a next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, performing operations comprising: determining whether a next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time, and only in such event, performing operations comprising rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth scanning frequency change to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time; rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 16. The circuitry of claim 15, the operation of determining whether the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time comprising operations of: determining whether the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur during a Bluetooth wakeup/scanning process commencing at the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time.
 17. The circuitry of claim 15, the operations further comprising: commencing a predetermined Bluetooth wakeup process substantially at the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; commencing a predetermined wireless wakeup process substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 18. The circuitry of claim 15, the operations further comprising: if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is later than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, leaving the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time unchanged.
 19. The circuitry of claim 15, the operations further comprising one of the following: adjusting a delay interval between successive planned Bluetooth module wakeup times to be an integer multiple of a delay interval between successive wireless module wakeup times; adjusting a delay interval between successive Bluetooth module wakeup times so that a delay interval between successive wireless module wakeup times is an integer multiple of the delay interval between successive Bluetooth module wakeup times.
 20. The circuitry of claim 15, the Bluetooth module including a clock, the operation of rescheduling the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change comprising advancing the clock so that a predetermined rollover event occurs substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 21. Logic circuitry comprising multiple interconnected electrically conductive elements configured to perform operations for synchronizing idle mode wakeup times for a Bluetooth module and a wireless module in a dual mode Bluetooth/wireless unit, the operations comprising: determining whether a next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, performing operations comprising: only if the Bluetooth module is not in sleep mode communications with another Bluetooth device and a next Bluetooth clock rollover event is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time, advancing the Bluetooth clock so that the rollover event will occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time; rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 22. A wireless mobile apparatus, comprising: a wireless module configured to enter an idle mode under prescribed circumstances during which the wireless module commences a wireless wakeup process at a next planned wireless module wakeup time; a Bluetooth module configured to enter a sleep mode under prescribed conditions during which the Bluetooth module commences an idle mode Bluetooth wakeup process at a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; processing circuitry coupled to the wireless module and Bluetooth module, configured to synchronize wakeup times for the Bluetooth module and the wireless module by performing operations comprising: determining whether a next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time; if the next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, performing operations comprising: determining whether a next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, and only in such event, performing operations comprising rescheduling the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time; rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 23. A wireless mobile apparatus, comprising: a wireless module configured to enter an idle mode under prescribed circumstances during which the wireless module commences a wireless wakeup process at a next planned wireless module wakeup time; a Bluetooth module configured to enter a sleep mode under prescribed conditions during which the Bluetooth module commences a Bluetooth wakeup process at a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time and also synchronizes each next planned Bluetooth module to any earlier-scheduled next planned wireless module wakeup time; processing circuitry coupled to the wireless module and Bluetooth module, configured to perform operations comprising determining whether a next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time, and only in such event, performing operations comprising rescheduling the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change to occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 24. A wireless mobile apparatus, comprising: a wireless module configured to enter an idle mode under prescribed circumstances during which the wireless module commences a wireless wakeup process at a next planned wireless module wakeup time; a Bluetooth module configured to enter a sleep mode under prescribed conditions during which the Bluetooth module commences a Bluetooth wakeup process at a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time and also synchronizes each next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time to any earlier-scheduled next planned wireless module wakeup time; a Bluetooth clock for providing an indication of Bluetooth time; processing circuitry coupled to the wireless module and Bluetooth module, configured to perform operations comprising: determining whether the following prescribed conditions exist: (1) a next planned wireless module wakeup time is earlier than a next planned Bluetooth module wakeup time, (2) the Bluetooth module is not in sleep mode communications with another Bluetooth device, and (3) a next rollover event of the Bluetooth clock is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless module wakeup time; only if the prescribed conditions exist, advancing the Bluetooth clock so that rollover will occur substantially at the next planned wireless module wakeup time.
 25. A wireless module apparatus, comprising: wireless means for entering an idle mode under prescribed circumstances and during the idle mode commencing a wireless wakeup process at a next planned wireless means wakeup time; Bluetooth means for entering a sleep mode under prescribed conditions and during the sleep mode commencing a Bluetooth wakeup process at a next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time; processing means for: determining whether a next planned wireless means wakeup time is earlier than a next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time; if the next planned wireless means wakeup time is earlier than the next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time, performing operations comprising: determining whether a next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time, and only in such event, performing operations comprising rescheduling the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change to occur substantially at the next planned wireless means wakeup time; rescheduling the next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time to occur substantially at the next planned wireless means wakeup time.
 26. A wireless mobile apparatus, comprising: wireless means for entering an idle mode under prescribed circumstances and during the idle mode commencing a wireless wakeup process at a next planned wireless means wakeup time; Bluetooth means for entering a sleep mode under prescribed conditions and during the sleep mode commencing a Bluetooth wakeup process at a next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time and also synchronizing each next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time to any earlier-scheduled next planned wireless means wakeup time; processing means for: determining whether a next Bluetooth scanning frequency change is scheduled to occur after the next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time; if so, performing operations comprising rescheduling the next Bluetooth scanning frequency change to occur substantially at the next planned wireless means wakeup time.
 27. A wireless mobile apparatus, comprising: wireless means configured to enter an idle mode under prescribed circumstances and during the idle mode commencing a wireless wakeup process at a next planned wireless means wakeup time; Bluetooth means configured to enter a sleep mode under prescribed conditions and during the sleep mode performing a Bluetooth wakeup process at a next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time and also synchronizing each next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time to any earlier-scheduled next planned wireless means wakeup time; Bluetooth clock means for providing an indication of Bluetooth time; processor means for: determining whether the following prescribed conditions exist: (1) the next planned wireless means wakeup time is earlier than the next planned Bluetooth means wakeup time, (2) the Bluetooth means is not in sleep mode communications with another Bluetooth device, and (3) a next rollover event of the Bluetooth clock means is scheduled to occur after the next planned wireless means wakeup time; only if the prescribed conditions exist, advancing the Bluetooth clock means so that rollover will occur substantially at the next planned wireless means wakeup time. 